Wildlife caring certainly has its rewards. We may get many depressing calls come through to our WILVOS 5441 6200 Hotline but there are so many positive outcomes.
Back in January a beautiful, tiny, furless brushtail possum came into care. Portia was the cutest little animal and I felt privileged to babysit her this week. Nick has done an amazing job with all those ‘round the clock’ feeds and keeping the humidicrib at just the right temperature. Now a four hundred gram possum with a thick furry coat, Portia is doing all the things she needs to do in her progression to again living in the wild one day. She drinks her milk formula with gusto. During the night an amazing variety of leaves are eaten – eucalypt, banksia, syzygium, melaleuca, callistemons and grevilleas. A little bark to chew on and the odd scotch thistle and dandelion add to her diet. If she finds a native flower or native fruit amongst the foliage, then these are always attacked first.
Sadly, each year we see an increase in cases of exudative dermatitis (often referred to as stress dermatitis) in possums. What was once a relatively rare occurrence has become just too common in the past decade. Habitat destruction appears to be a contributing factor for stress causing the problem.
Fortunately, members of the public will phone the WILVOS Hotline when concerned about injured or orphaned animals. We are able to set a trap and get the possum to a wildlife hospital as soon as possible. Usually they will go into the trap on the first night. If treated early, the condition improves very quickly. Sometimes it is so advanced that euthanasia is the kindest option. It is unbelievable how long these animals can live in the wild with horrific injuries. We are so appreciative of people calling us for help.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au